Vada Spa and Laser Center

I visited Vada Salon for the second time this past Friday evening. My first visit was for an eyebrow wax (came out so-​so, but not great, so I never returned).
I visited them for the second time on Friday after work for shellac manicure, which I had a Groupon for. I made an appointment for 5:15pm in advance.
I got there exactly on time, but unfortunately I had to wait 15 minutes or so for a manicurist.
The woman I had (who unfortunately I didn’t get her name) cut my long nails very short because one nail had broken. She also cut all my cuticles.
Long story short, the shellac color I chose came out not a light pink but white. I would have dealt with the terrible color, but she also did a sloppy job with both the color and topcoat as the sides on a few nails weren’t even. I asked the manager to take off the color and she generously agreed to take it off for free and put on regular nail color. Soon after, Kate (the manager) generously offered a different color shellac which I took her up on. I ended up leaving the salon with a lovely pink color for a family engagement party I had on Saturday.
Unfortunately, the next day both of my thumbnails were hurting slightly. I chalked it up to soreness from the two shellac coats and my shorter nails.
Come Monday, two days later, my right thumb was throbbing and swollen. Unable to sleep all week and after the throbbing kept getting worse, I went to urgent care on Wednesday and was told the nail was infected. Pus was coming out of my nail bed and my finger was swollen and throbbing so much they had to make an incision and clean up the infection. I am now on antibiotics with a wrapped finger.
I was all set to give Vada 4 stars until this horrific incident. The money I saved on the $ 16 shellac Groupon, I spent three times over in co-​pays and prescriptions. Please do yourself a favor and take your own tools here if you have to go.

I’m a sucker for a pedicure — and judging by the two other men at Vada, I’m not the only one. I really like Vada. It’s all Eastern European. Really well run. Not expensive. No waiting. No mongering over the bill. No techs who secretly hate they’re jobs or pretend they like you. I had a stellar pedicure from Margo. She was great. Really careful and fastidious — not rushing to get to the next client, and her foot massage was killer. I highly recommend her. Ask for her… and Leeza, too. Both excellent.

I came here after viewing a deal on Groupon. They were very flexible with fitting my two friends and I in for a shellac manicure/​pedicure (I called three times to change our appointment).
I had Rosana as my technician — she was awesome! Gave me a beautiful manicure /​pedicure and was quick and efficient. They have a punch card system so I will definitely be back!
I docked the salon one star bc no one in my party was given a foot or hand massage which in my opinion is customary for mani/pedi’s and while the salon was very clean, it seemed neglected by the owners (missing lightbulbs, massage chairs not working, etc.) — all things willing to overlook given the beautiful work by Rosana!

So this is my first time writing on Unilocal but I feel compelled to do so. I made a appointment to Vada spa two hours before coming in, which was great. They were accommodating and I didn’t even wait 5 minutes before I got to see someone. My waxer was Ella. She was absolutely amazing. I am a baby when it comes to Brazilians and being a African American woman I suffer from severe ingrowns. This was the least painful, quickest most comfortable wax I’ve ever experienced. She was knowledgeable on how to help get rid of my problems, was funny, kind and help me forget what was even going on. I will be coming here religiously because of Ella! I never write Unilocal reviews because I feel like it’s just a place for cry babies who don’t get there way to vent but this service was too good not to share. Ask for Ella! I promise you won’t regret it.

pedicure —
I was told to pick my Colors and begin to soak my feet. After soaking for 25 minutes, someone finally came to me. (I made an appt at 7, got here at 650 and expected to wait until 7)
The nail specialist gave each area of my foot one scrub. When it came to cleaning and cutting cuticles, she was good for the most part. She didn’t file my toe nails properly. Filed the first one on each foot and one swipe for the others for the sake of doing it. At the end of the entire hour plus appointment, she told me I was done and can put my shoes on. Once I got home, my nail polish was smudged. Definitely could have done a better job at home on my own.
Shellac —
Similar to pedicure, nails were buffed and filed for the sake of doing it. Nail polish is messy — not fully covering sides of the nail /​not properly done. and because it’s shellac I cant fix it on my own.
Not a good experience and wouldn’t recommend to a friend. They have other services I thought about scheduling but after this experience, I rather not.

This was a great place. It actually feels like a spa, they put on relaxing music when waxing. I got the chocolate brazilian with Olga and she was great! Super quick and not as painful as it usally is! The place has every service possible from hairbuts to mani-​pedis and even laster hair removal. And the best part, they pass no judgement at all, even though I came in with a Groupon (even the tip is given in an envelope so they can’t see how much you’re giving). I will definitely be going back again, not only for the wax but to try out their other services too. Highly recommend!

Update:
After just shy of a week, my manicure started to peel near the cuticles on 4 nails. That barely held up to when I paint my own nails at home with regular Essie polish!
Kate, the manager at Vada, offered to have me go in to get those nails re-​done without additional charge, which I went in for today. I definitely appreciate the effort shown by the establishment to correct any dissatisfactory service. Kate was very pleasant to deal with and was genuinely concerned with making sure that I was happy with my touch-​ups before I left.
But, even during this second session, the touch-​ups had to be re-​done. While I do appreciate their willingness to correct on their service, I’m still baffled by why they don’t just make sure to get it right the first time. I wouldn’t want to have to plan at least two trips to Vada each time I get my nails or something else done there.
So I’m increasing my star rating purely for my experience with Kate. She has a great attitude and understands customer service.
That said, if you live or work nearby and just looking for a local place that’s quick, Vada is a decent option.
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Came here for a shellac manicure. Nowadays it’s hard to really mess up a gel manicure unless the technician is incredibly horrible. Mine wasn’t the worst, but I could tell she was generally disinterested in doing her job. She was constantly looking out the window during my appointment. One of my nails is definitely lopsided from careless filing. When she was putting on the top coat, she didn’t make sure to fill across all the color on my nails, so my bet is this gel manicure is going to start peeling much earlier than ones I’ve gotten elsewhere. I’ll update this review after I’ve had some time to see how long it will last. On a couple nails, the color is also on my cuticles.
I came here with a Groupon, so I guess I got what I paid for. I would not come here if I had to pay full price.

I’m giving 5 stars for the actual massage that I received today by Timmi (sp?) and not the overall spa experience. Vada needs a makeover as well as a designer to come in and reorganize the work stations. Having said that, I was greeted with polite and friendly staff who made every effort to not keep me waiting long when I showed up early. Thank you!
I used a 60 minute massage groupon and my only option, massage-​wise, was swedish. Typically, I prefer a deep tissue or sports massage. I’ve read previous reviews and some of their criticisms I find harsh. Personally, I tend to prefer the no-​nonsense Russian sensibility so this spa suits me. Timmi asked me if I had any specific issues or requests and I told her but given that I was not receiving a deep tissue, I didn’t expect much more than light to moderate pressure, let alone extended work on specific muscle groups. Boy was I pleasantly surprised to find out that she is extremely skillful in her biomechanical understanding of the spine/​muscles/​joints/​tendons and based on my requests, spent much time trying to alleviate the pain and discomfort I was feeling. Some of the massage was painful because I needed deep muscle release and I will likely have muscle soreness tomorrow but I appreciated her deviating from the groupon and being accommodating. I definitely recommend Timmi and will book another massage with her.

Got a massage from Gary, he did a great job but was super creepy. Asked if he could call me princess (I’m female) and tried very hard to make me request him personally next time which is against the rules. Also made weird assumptions about me and my sexuality.

I used to like this place but their service has really gone down. I went in yesterday and paid $ 27 for a super quick pedicure. The technician was really rough with cuticles but didn’t bother scrubbing or moisturizing the soles of my feet at all. My main motivation to get a professional pedicure is because they paint nails so much more neatly than I could ever manage — but this was definitely not the case here.

I come here every month for a chocolate Brazilian. Usually I get it done with Ira who’s amazing at her job. The past two months, Ira hasn’t been there when I go so in an effort to not wait Or reschedule thinking the other girls were just as great, I accepted to get it done with them. What a huge mistake. This is why my rating is this low. Ira gets 5 stars but the other two ladies get 1star each.
Moral of the story; if you come get a Brazilian here, get it with Ira. Otherwise don’t get anything at all.

If I can give a negative star I would!!! Wasted my time going. I purchased a coupon from groupon and blah… I had a shellac manicure and pedicure and it was the sloppiest mani and pedi I ever got, not near at all! The manger said it’s neat, I asked where? She offered for me to come back and do it over and I said no thank you… Never will I step foot in this spa again.

I’d like to share my experience in this Salon and I contemplated doing it in a public setting or private as Im sure (and hoping) the experience we hadn’t isn’t the views of everyone working there.
My partner and I bought a groupon for a massage and facial. Upon arrival, I realized that this was a fully Russian speaking salon and being born and raised in Russia, I’m fluent but try not to speak in front of my partner because I think its rude. We got out massages first and they were really great! Our concern was the facials and the experience during it. The ladies were asking a lot of questions, seemingly to try to establish the relationship we had. I think once they understood our relationship my tech almost rushed through everything it seemed like she wanted to be out of the room and was uncomfortable, her entire demeanor changed. Once they were done and left, the walls being very thin, I could hear what they were saying. Also, once we got up to change we went in for a kiss and one of the techs came in to get the utencils theu used for the facials. Ot was an extremely uncomfortable experience as the space was still ours and she walked on on an intimate moment. She was visibly mortified and rushed out, rightfully so. As she left, the techs outside of our room were saying aweful homophobic slurs. It was disgusting! Another lady came in as we were walking out of the room and told us they needed the room. Let me explain the time frame: we got done with our facials at around 12, at 12:05 the tech came in to remove the items, and the other lady came in at 12:10.
I’ve had plenty of massages and they give you a minimum of a 10 minute uninterrupted period to get up, get dress, I dont feel like this deserves an explanation.
We used the restroom and continued to hear things about how disgusting we were and how horrible it was that we were bring this (our gayness) in to their salon and how they had to see it and how they were so distraught about our blatant disregard for all the normal patrons of their salon (including some other nasty language that embarrassing to say) I thanked her in Russian, the look on her face was priceless and the man shrugged like he would have said this all to my face, We tipped and left.
Like I said I’m hoping this isnt the views of the entire salon but a few select individuals. We won’t be returning the experience was beyonf humiliating.

There was nothing special but nothing awful or horrible either, overall its was okay experience.

I could only write a review based on the Brazilian waxes as I haven’t had any other services.
I’ve been coming here for several years and although I will sometimes buy a Groupon to another establishment, I find myself returning.
This is a no nonsense — but very clean — business and depending on the day, the front desk staff can either be very accommodating or a bit difficult.
That aside, the waxing rooms are immaculate — no double dipping and the technicians are quite skilled and thorough (shout out to Irya). The service is quick and painless. No complaints here!

Bought a groupon deal for a 60 min massage and 45 minute seaweed facial. Made the appointment at 2:15 and they called be few days ago to ask me to change my appointment time to 2:45pm. However, I agreed to go at 2:30pm because I wanted to have dinner afterwards and didn’t want to leave late. The lady (sorry I forgot your name but you have really nice red ombré nails) at the front was very nice, took my info and offered me tea, coffee, wine etc. I arrived with my bf early but we didn’t mind the wait. When she asked if we had a preference, I told her I wanted a female and my bf can have the male masseuse. She took us into the room upstairs around 2:30 and i realized the front part near the staircase was a salon for hair but whatever. we went into the «couples room» which was literally TWO rooms divided with a curtain. AND I HAD TO PAY AN EXTRA $ 30 FOR THIS?! JUST FOR A CURTAIN TO BE PULLED BACK?!! If i knew two rooms were just connected by a curtain, i would have never agreed on paying that extra $ 30 for a couples room. We got undressed and everything.
The lady walked in and started introducing herself to my bf. In my head, i’m thinking wow, they gave us two female masseuses. She started working on my bf. Then a MALE masseuse entered and introduced himself to me. I specifically said I wanted a female masseuse. He started working on my back and he pulled the sheets down and tucked it under my underwear. The «rub down» was horrible! His hairy forearm was literally just rubbing up and down my back. I don’t even know how to describe this massage. It was literally «rub your body all over with lotion». Then he started flexing my arms and legs like the type of warm up stretches you do before running or before yoga. wtf is that? Then he started to rub the side of my body way to close to my breastbone. At this time I was VERY UNCOMFORTABLE. Then he started to pull my underwear lower and lower, under my butt cheeks and started massaging my buttocks. I go for a massage every year with my boyfriend and I have NEVER been given a butt massage before. NEVER. This buttock massage went over for about 5 minutes which felt like years. The package was for 60minutes and I don’t even care about the time at that point because i wanted the massage to be done and over with!
Then he told me to flip over and usually they would stand to the side and lift the blanket up so that they would not see you when you flip over. However he was bending over next to my head and told me to turn. And idiot me, flipped over and had to cover my own breasts so that I wouldn’t be fully exposed. Near the end, he was so rough and gave me the worst head massage. AND I LOST THE BACK OF MY EARRINGS !
I hated this massage and I’ve never felt so molested and uncomfortable in my whole life.
The facial was mediocre. Not much extraction was done. She literally just used the tissue and started squeezing my nose for few seconds after the steaming process. Then she was rubbing this cream or oil all over my face and continued rubbing it over my shoulders, on my neck, my upper back and upper chest and back to my face again. That is disgusting. I didn’t even get to see what sort of cream it was. But what you put on the face should not be used for the body vice versa. When I got home, I was able to extract SO much blackheads from my nose. Whatever they placed on my face had clogged up my pores and I even left with a new pimple.
After the facial was done. Me and my boyfriend searched everywhere for the back piece of my earrings. We flipped the sheets (the thick mattress type sheet on top of the bed) and realized how DIRTY those sheets were! They were brown like the bed that we were laying on. I asked the lady if i can search in the hampers for my earrings because it was a gift from my mom and it meant a lot to me. I don’t believe the change the thick blanket because when I was going through the hampers, there were only towels and sheets. So it means that they reuse the blankets and they only change the top sheets. They watched me pull towels from the nasty hampers and didnt even offer me gloves! Unsanitary and disgusting. But I did it because I wanted to find my back piece of the earrings so badly. We continue searching the room and the Russian lady told us we had to leave because there was another couple waiting outside.
When we went downstairs, I told the ladies in the front that I lost my earrings and she told me she will tell them to shake the sheets to see if they can find it. She also told me that they would do a sweep around 8:30pm and would call me back regarding my earrings. I told my bf that they won’t call me and they’re just saying it because they had other customers around. I was so upset and I do not have a poker face to hide it. It is now 10pm and I have yet to receive a call from them.
would NEVER come back to this establishment. I already threw away their punch card. and I would NEVER recommend this place to ANYONE.

I love This place definitely will coming back I love Helen and the chocolate wax was amazing

This is my go-​to for brazilian waxes. It’s a good deal at $ 40 for the city and considering how clean it is. No double dipping! Get your punch card for a free one after 10 visits. The queen of painless and quick waxing is Maira. She is incredible. Super sweet and totally painless. I’ve tried other women if she’s not available and always go back to her. DO NOT use Lisa. She is aggressive and painful, doesn’t cut hair if needed before waxing, and left me bruised.
I sometimes get pedicures and a simple wash and haircut. Also a good deal and good quality.

LUDA!!! A+ on the Brazilian wax wow!!! She was soooo professional and patient. I will come back for sure.
So luda was off today i went with olga shes was superrrr quick… The only problem is i got a groupon ticket of three session and i was allowed to purchase it but am not allow to use it because i had used one before i got the wax done because i was already there and i come from veryyy far but $ 49 for One session is not worth .
Ella was just awesome!

***This review is solely in regard to how management/​customer service handled my experience***
After posting about my negative experience in the previous review, someone from Vada Spa called me to apologize, and offered me a free Brazilian wax next time whenever I am ready to come back, and will make sure I get another person. I think it speaks volumes for any business that they take the time to address the concerns of their customers. For this reason alone, I will give it another try!